The festival returns for its third year, bringing with it 39 speakers, 11 events, 1 venue, 2 stages

Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI23) officially returns to the heart of the city in a month’s time, and is promising to be the biggest one yet. With an expected audience of 5,000, the festival is set to once again delve into conversation, connection and curiosity, exploring some of the most pressing questions of our time.

LIFI23) is back for its third year, taking place at the iconic Leeds Playhouse. An annual event brought to the city by LeedsBID, exploring a range of thought provoking and current topics, bringing guest speakers and hosts from a range of backgrounds to discuss and debate a diverse array of topics.

The festival has announced a brand-new host, former BBC North America Editor, Jon Sopel, who will be leading the “Who Does Our Political System Benefit?” panel. Jon has spent four decades reporting on global events and interviewing the people who tried to shape them. He has featured on just about every BBC news programme, acted as an in-studio host for numerous BBC news and political programmes and been heard on the airwaves of BBC Radio from Paris, Kuwait City, Washington DC and Blackpool.

Jon joins a stellar lineup of speakers set to hit Leeds this September for LIFI23, including entrepreneur and business mogul Steven Bartlett, renowned British actor Christopher Eccleston, international drag sensation Bimini, and bestselling author and comedian Ruby Wax OBE. They will be joined by other key names from across varying industries, including Davina McCall MBE, Will Young, Rob Rinder, Cherry Healey, Matt Baker MBE, Lauren Mahon, Dame Prue Leith and international broadcaster Naga Munchetty.

The festival is also delighted to welcome a brand-new collaboration with North Brew. The partnership will see an exclusive beer being brewed, boasting its own unique flavour and packaging from local talent. The vegan session pale ale is set to have aromas of lemon zest and freshly cut grass, bringing a note of vibrancy that balances against the juicy flavours of white peach and sweet mango. Collaboration has always been important to North, celebrating innovation and creativity within the local community and afar.

The award winning, international brewery, who have a proven track record of satisfying consumers around the globe, are brewing the beer especially for the return of LIFI. People can enjoy it served up at Leeds Playhouse for the duration of the festival, all North Brew bars in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham, with the first pour taking place on 30th August.